that the lady, for the purpose of making a
favorable impression upon our susceptible hearts, had insisted upon her
husband's stopping his team, a few miles from Ballarat, while she made
her toilet, and to do so, had used all the water in the water kegs, to
the great distress of the oxen, who were really suffering for a drink.

Yes, the bride was really handsome, and would be called so in any
civilized portion of the world, where beauty is recognized by the
standard of regular features, clear skin, white teeth, and a perfect
form. Her eyes, too, were large, black, and lustrous, and she understood
the use of them as well as the most arrant Spanish coquette that ever
lived.

I advanced to the team, and extended my hand for the purpose of
assisting the lady to alight, for her husband seemed occupied with his
cattle, and unable to afford her those delicate attentions which a wife
sometimes requires.

"Who, in the devil's name, are you?" she asked, in a quick, pert manner,
as though determined to astonish us on the first hour of her arrival.

I heard a smothered laugh in the store, as though Smith was endeavoring
to prevent an explosion, and even Fred had hard work to retain his
countenance.

"This gentleman, Maria," cried the woman's husband, rushing to my
rescue, "is one of my employers, whom I spoke to you about."

"O, is he?" she asked, with a strong stare, first at me and then at
Fred. "Well, I don't see any thing remarkable about him, and he isn't
half as good looking as the fellow standing in the door."

The compliment to Fred, at my expense, was answered by another
suppressed groan from Smith, while the poor husband hardly knew whether
to abuse his better half or coax her.

"Don't talk that way to strangers," the poor devil pleaded, but his good
nature was all thrown away.

"Go and attend to the cattle," she ordered, "and let me alone. I haven't
had a moment's peace since I married you, and I almost wish that I had
fallen to the stout miner who wanted me so much. He was something like a
man, and was as big as two of you."

"I wish, with all my heart, you had," muttered the bridegroom, but he
took good care not to let her hear him.

"Well, give me your hand," the wife exclaimed, addressing me; "I see
that no one is coming to my assistance, and a poor beau is better than
none, as we used to say in Radcliff Highway." And when I extended my
hand, she grasped it warmly, pressed it strongly, and with a display